Armature for sculpturing



Sept. 25, 1962 w. D. MOEWEN ARMATURE FOR SCULPTURING 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 21, 1961 INVENTOR. Mil/,4, 0; MCW/V BY W W/ W A TI'OB/VEKS pt. 25, 1962 w. D. MCEWEN 3,055,119

. ARMATURE FOR SCULPTURING Filed July 21, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ff. F WW United States Patent 3,055,119 ARMATURE FOR SCULPTURING William D. McEwen, Fort Knox, Ky.

(414 B St, Taft, Calif.) Filed July 21, 1961, Ser. No. 125,781 17 Claims. (Cl. 35-46 This invention relates to skeleton type armature devices used as a framework for receiving and retaining materials, such as modeling clay, in the art of sculpturing or the like. More particularly, the invention involves armature constructions comprised of detachable and extensible structural members which allow the size and shape of the armatures to be varied; and, in addition, portions of an entire skeleton may be used separately.

For the most part, prior art armature devices were designed and contrived by the individual sculptors for their own use. Such devices normally consist of rods and wires that are cut to particular sizes, then connected and fashioned into frameworks of selected shapes. These frameworks are ordinarily used but once, since they could not be easily reshaped for other Works of sculpturing. Since the cost of materials for erecting these armatures is incurred for each work of art created, they would possess an inherent disadvantage over a reusable arm-ature. Furthermore, in view of the general lack of skill of many artisans, and especially students, in fashioning an armature of sufiicient strength to properly support required amounts of clay or other materials, the self-styled armatures are often inadequate or cumbersome.

It is recognized that attempts have been made to produce materials to facilitate the erection of an armature. For example, United States Patent No. 2,803,903 teaches a knockdown skeleton frame that may be easily assembled. However, none of the known prior art teachings contemplate a framework that possesses the inherent advantages of the present invention, where a given armature device may be used for erecting frameworks of various sizes, shapes and portions of figures.

In brief, the present invention in armatures comprises inner and outer telescoping skeleton members that may be adjustably secured together in various positions of relative rotation and longitudinal extension. This feature of the armature allows the skeleton members to serve in the frameworks for figures of various sizes and permits a universal connection of those members to members of similar kind. It is further contemplated that various telescoping skeleton members, as described, may be coupled together by apair of radially serrated discs that are matable in variously oriented positions of relative rotative adjustment and secured together, one disc being aflixed to the end of each skeleton member.

In addition, this invention further comprises a novel arrangement of rods, plates and wires for forming various anatomical parts of a human skeleton for supporting materials such as clay. More especially, it will be seen that I have provided unique structures for erecting frameworks for hands, skulls, shoulders and pelvic portions of a body.

Therefore, one object of this invention is to provide an armature comprised of skeleton members of adjustable size that may be variously connected to form frameworks of different sizes and shapes.

It is another object to provide an armature that may be especially used for erecting a human skeleton, said armature having exceptional versatility in allowing the armature to be erected in any position which the human body can assume.

Another object of this invention is to provide an armature formed of non-corrosive materials that may be used an indefinite number of times for the support of clay in modeling figures of dilferent sizes and shapes.

A further object is to provide an armature for modeling various anatomical parts of a human skeleton including hands, skulls and a torso.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent in view of the drawings and the following detailed description.

In the drawings forming a part of this application and in which like reference numbers identify like parts throughout the same,

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a preferred embodiment of this invention in armatures as incorporated in a human framework or skeleton;

FIG. 2 is a detail view, shown partly in section, of a telescoping member that makes up a portion of the armature shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective of a portion of the telescoping members, illustrating the manner of adjustably securing the telescoping parts in variously rotated positions;

FIG. 4 is a transverse section of the telescoping members taken on lines 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side detail view of the coupling device employed for joining together telescopic support members;

FIG. 6 is a plan detail view of the serrated face of one-half of the coupling device;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective of the skull framework shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective of the hand framework shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged plan view of the hand frame work shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a modified form of human armature illustrating how the armature may be supported in a kneeling position; and

FIG. 11 is another form of armature for use in modeling a human bust.

Referring to FIG. 1 in particular, there is illustrated an armature 10 for modeling a human figure. Armature 10 generally comprises telescopic arm members 11, 12, telescopic leg members l3, 14, a trunk 15, a skull frame 16, and hand frames 17. Telescopic members 11, 12, 13 and 14, as well as telescopic portions of the trunk 15, may be selectively secured invarious positions of axial and rotational adjustment by means of locking pins 18, as shown most clearly in FIGS. 2-4.

Each of the telescopic parts comprises a tubular outer member 19 having a number of openings 20 spaced axial therealong; and an inner rod member 21 telescopes into the outer tubular member, said rod being provided with a series of holes 22 formed radially therealbout. It will be seen that telescoping members 19 and 21 may be selectively pinned together in a multiplicity of rot-ative arrangements by aligning one opening 2% with any of the holes 22; or the members may be telescopically adjusted in length by aligning one of the selected holes 22 with one of the axially spaced openings 2%. Of course, similar arrangements and connections could be provided by placing both radial and axial openings in tubular member 19, or in the alternative, several series of axial spaced holes 22 could be formed in rod member 21. However, the illustrated form is preferred, since it does not overburden either of the members with openings or holes which tend to weaken their inherent strengths,

Locking pins 18 may be retained in position-by a spring clip 23-. The use of a spring clip such as this is desira-ble in many instances, since it provides means for keeping the pins 18 in place while allowing a relatively loose fit between the pins and the telescoping members. However, the clipmight be eliminated where suflicient (friction forces are provided as by a closeness in fit between the pins and the openings and/or holes provided in the parts.

It has been found that the telescopic members may be advantageously formed from aluminum tubing and rods, while the pins and spring clips can be made of stainless steel. Aluminum and stainless steel materials will, of

course, resist corrosion allowing the parts .to be used and reused many times without becoming encrusted with rust or being weakened.

Telescopic members 11 and 13 are rigidly connected to the trunk frame 15 and to telescopic members 12 and 14, respectively, by means of a pair of coupling members 24, as particularly shown in FIGS. and 6. Each coupling member 24 is complementary to its mated pair, having radially serrated disc surfaces 25 with openings 26 therethrough for receiving a connecting through bolt 27.

Trunk comprises a shoulder frame formed of two axially aligned telescopic supports 28 and 29 and a transverse telescopic support 30. The outer tubular members of supports 28, 29 and 30 are rigidly interconnected by plate members 31, 32, 33 and 34 which form a bulk support for the shoulder portion of a body. Also, trunk 15 includes a central telescopic support 35, looped rib wires 35a, 35b, 35c and a pelvic frame comprised of three substantially parallel but slightly convergent telescopic supports 36, 37 and '38, interconnected by plates 39 and 40. It will be seen that a coupling member 24 is provided at the rod member ends of supports 28,29, 39, 35, 36, 37 and 38; and, further, each of the coupling members is joined to the mated coupling members of other parts. Shoulder support 30 and central suppont 35 are also provided with coupling members at their tube member ends, as shown. 7

The above described and illustrated arrangement of supports provides a unique framework for modeling a human figure of various sizes and shapes. Since the combined functions of the adjustable coupling member 24 and the rotational positioning of rod members relative to tubular members will allow each telescopic member or support to be universally connected to an associated member or support, the entire assemblage is extremely versatile and may be assembled in many difierent positions; and

since each of the basic support members of the arms, legs and trunk may be extended, the size of the framework as a whole may be suitably adjusted.

It is especially contemplated that an armature of this kind could be suitably formed for modeling a human figure in a range of heights, as for example, between three and five feet. Of course, many other ranges of heights and sizes are possible as for example between one and three feet and six feet to ten or twelve feet. But it is believed that an unlimited range of extensions would be impractical from a standpoint of size or strength in the telescopic members utilized.

FIG. 7 illustrates most clearly the novel construction for a skull 16. The skull essentially comprises a first skull frame 41, a second skull frame 42 and a central tubular support member 43, Frames 41 :and 42 are each aflixed to the tubular member 43 and supported in substantially normal planes, thereby defining a three dimensional support for modeling material such as clay. A third skull frame 44 is also desirably provided, interconnecting frames 41 and 42 in a plane normal to the planes of both frames and providing added strength and rigidity. It will be noted that frames 41, 42 and 44 are each formed with heavy aluminum wire or rods that may be bent to the general shape of the skull. In constructing the skull 16 it has been found that the rods defining frames 41 and 42 may be conveniently mounted to the tubular member 43 by providing a second outer tubular member 45 and inserting the ends of said rods between the inner tube 43 and outer tube 45. The frames 41, 42 and 44 may be spot welded together and to the tubular members 43 and 45.

Skull 16 is supported from trunk 15 upon a rod member 46 that is telescopically received within tubular member 43. The lower end of rod 46 is provided with a coupling member 24 which is matable with the complementary member 26 provided on the tube end of telescopic member 30. Similar to other telescopic rod members, rod 46 is radially drilled with a series of openings allowing the skull frame 16 to be rotatably adjusted and pinned relative to said rod 46.

FIGS. 8 and 9 best indicate the construction of hand frames 17, which are attached at the ends of rod members 21a of telescopic arm members 12. Frames 17 comprise a pair of rods 47 and 48, having a pair of arcuate plates 49 and 50 interconnecting them in a diverging relationship. A plurality. of flexible finger wires 51 are supported in openings of each plate. Individual finger wire openings 52 are formed in plate 49, but a continuous slotted opening 53 may be used in plate 50, since the wires are in close proximity at that area of support. Each finger wire is removably secured to the arcuate plates 49 and 50 by pin members 54 which ordinarily prevent their removal. If desired, each finger wire can be bent into any position, or any finger member may be removed and substituted with a longer or shorter wire element. A thumb wire 55 is conveniently provided and attached to rod 47 by inserting the wire through a pierced opening and entwining said wire about the rod. Hand frame 17 further comprises a number of identical spaced block members 56, having substantially parallel and alignable openings for receiving parallel lengths of rods 47 and 48 therethrough. This additional feature of the hand frame 17 provides a flexible wrist and anchorage to the telescoping rod member 21a.

FIG. 10 illustrates one modification which may be made in use of the human armature shown in FIG. 1. If a kneeling figure is to be modeled, the telescopic member 13 may be replaced, either in whole or in part, by a telescopic member 13a having an extension 57 added to the telescoping rod 211;. The end of extension 57 is then inserted into a drilled hole within a stand 58.

As shown in FIG. 1, stand 58 is preferably formed with many drilled holes 59, each having a different direction of incline. Such an arrangement of holes allows a large selection of directional engagement between the stand and the supported member of the armature.

FIG. 11 demonstrates the use of a part of the armature of FIG. 1 for modeling a bust. Since the skull 17 of FIG. 1 is easily separated from the trunk 15 by disconnection of the coupling members 24, a simplified shoulder frame comprising a telescopic support 60 and loops of heavy aluminum wire 61 may be substituted. Telescopic support 60 may be supported in a stand 62 as in the manner shown in FIGS. 1 and 10.

It will be noted that certain telescopic members 11, 13a and 14 shown are provided with coils of heavy aluminum wire 63. Wires of this kind are normally utilized for both arms (including the forearm members 12), thigh members 13 and leg members 14 for holding clay. However, most of the wires have been omitted from the figures in order to better illustrate the invention and the manner of armature constructions contemplated.

Although several preferred embodiments of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that various changes and rearrangements of parts may be made Without departing from the spirit of the invention disclosed; and any structures or arrangements that are properly within the scope of the appended claims is contemplated.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A reusable sculpturing or molding armature that may be assembled for receiving and retaining material comprising: inner and outer telescoping skeleton members that may be relatively rotated, having transverse alignable openings, at least one of said members being formed with a plurality of openings .angularly spaced and at least one of said members being formed with openings longitudinally spaced, means including a pin member insertable into aligned openings of said members for securing said members together in various degrees of telescopic and relative rotative positioning, and coupling members secured to opposite ends of said skeleton members for being joined to coupling members of other skeleton parts, said coupling members comprising a pair of matable radially serrated discs having openings therethrough for receiving a connecting through bolt, said pair of diSCs being matable in various positions of relative rotative adjustment.

2. The sculpturing or molding armature of claim 1 and further including a clip for retaining said pin member in the openings of said telescoping members.

3. The sculpturing or molding armature of claim 1 and further including a coiled wire disposed around said telescoping members for receiving and retaining formable material.

4. An armature for use in molding and sculpturing hands comprising: a pair of rods, a pair of first and second plates interconnecting said rods in a diverging relationship, said first and second plates having openings therein, and a plurality of flexible finger wires supported from said plates and being projected through respective openings thereof.

5. The armature of claim 4 wherein each of said finger wires is pierced for receiving a relatively small pin, and further including small pin members insertable through said finger wires for securing each to said plates, said finger wires being removable to enable a substitution with longer or shorter finger wires for longer or shorter hands.

6. The armature of claim 4 wherein said rods are flexible and interconnected by spaced block members having substantially parallel openings, thereby providing a flexible wrist frame.

7. The armature of claim 4 wherein one of said rods is pierced for receiving a thumb wire, and further including :a flexible thumb wire projected through said opening and entwined about said one rod.

8. An armature for use in molding and sculpturing a head comprising: a central tubular member, a first skull frame secured to said tubular member, a second skull frame secured to said tubular member in a plane substantially normal to said first skull frame, said first and second skull frames defining a three-dimensional support for formable material, and a cylindrical support member internally and adjustably mated with said tubular memher.

9. The armature of claim 8 and further including a third skull frame secured to said first and second skull frames in a plane substantially normal to both frames.

10. The armature of claim 8 wherein said central tubular member comprises inner and outer tubes and said first and second skull frames are defined by curvilinear rod elements having one of their ends disposed between said inner and outer tubes.

11. The armature of claim 8 and further including a connecting means mounted to the depending end of said support member for attaching said member and supported frames to a complementary connecting means.

12. An armature that may be assembled for receiving and retaining material comprising: a plurality of telescopic skeleton supports, each telescopic support including inner and outer telescoping skeleton members that may be angularly oriented relative to each other and having means for securing said members in various degrees of telescopic and angular positioning, and coupling means secured to the ends of certain telescoping members for detachably connecting those members to other telescoping members.

13. The sculpturing or molding armature of claim 12 wherein said coupling means comprise a pair of matable parts having radially serrated and complementary surfaces, and including means for joining said parts in various angular positional relationships, said coupling means and angularly oriented members providing at least partial universal adjustment in relationship between coupled telescopic supports.

14. The armature of claim 12 and further including relatively heavy wire members attached to cerain of said telescopic supports and forming a bulk support for the trunk portion of a body.

15. The armature of claim 12 and further including plate members interconnecting two axially aligned and one transverse telescopic supports and forming a bulk support for the shoulder portion of a body.

16. The (armature of claim 14 and further including plate members interconnecting three substantially parallel but slightly convergent telescopic supports and forming a bulk support for the pelvic portion of a body.

17. The armature of claim '14 and further including a base mounting having holes formed therein at various angles, each hole being adapted for receiving one end of a telescoping member in a close fit, said armature being supported at the proper angle and relationship of telescopic supports by selection and use of the proper hole.

Linz Apr. 21, 1936 Santana Nov. 9, 1954 

